The Northern Noble is a Grinder (Volume 2: Chapter 10).

The Northern Noble is a Grinder (Volume 2: Chapter 10).

…

Change came more swiftly than I ever imagined. The whole of the coast was reinforced, and the imperial fleet arrived. Knights from every province came upon flying ships and established themselves in once-abandoned castles, and new fortresses were built. Calls were made for purges upon monster populations all over the empire to strengthen knights, while levies were recalled, but the best were kept to be trained into professional soldiery.

Everything moved quickly with little error, and that was all the confirmation that I needed to know that the emperor foresaw this. And, with my former fiancé being removed from his role as crown prince, I wondered if this was some final test for him that he failed. He was sent here with his greatest companions and a demigod. If he had held against all odds, if he had managed to lead until reinforcements arrived, I was sure that he would have retained his position as crown prince.

But he had not, and now the emperor would remain until his younger brother could assume the throne… after the war. He was also to lead from the front, and from there he had the right to be tithed the cores of monsters and grow strong himself. And, as he grows stronger, youthful vigor will return to him and much more besides. If this war continued for long, then he may very well reach the great heights of emperors past and be elevated to divinity after the war.

I would almost think that was the emperor’s goal, if not for a singular fact.

Lord Trelawney had been called here by the emperor, and he had given a firm answer to the invaders.

If the emperor had wished to truly gain a tithe of magical cores and ascend, he would have allowed this region to be taken and become a battleground from which to harvest the cores of our foes.

Instead, the vast majority of the enemy’s bodies and strength were consumed by the ocean, and not by our forces… let alone himself.

Which made the rapid response and my belief that this was foreseen more confusing.

Why had the emperor prepared to act so quickly only to allow the initial landing and terror when it was foreseen?

Only one person came to mind who I can ask such a question without fear, and so I searched for him.

…

Lord Trelawney was sweeping and cleaning a chapel at the village we were relocated to.

In case the enemy still had powerful individuals, we remained in the region, but we were out of sight. People with our level of strength were only meant to be present when needed. We instilled too much fear in the common people. Sometimes we even encouraged dependency, and they would lose their way and become nothing more than zealots driven to follow. Given that these were not our lands and not our people, either result was unacceptable.

Several of the villagers that fled already returned and knew us—only us nobility spoken for by several of the guards attending to the interim mayor. They kept their distance from us while we rested and recuperated, and they tended to their homes and lands. Still, many had yet to return, and it was unlikely that many would, so most of the village remained vacant. We occupied the former mayor’s home, with the commander of the soldiers taking one wing, while his men took rooms in the rest of the village.

I noted that many of the soldiers were of noble houses, handsome, and eager to be of use.

It was an overt play to try to win us over to one faction or another, but I abstained along with the others.

Lord Trelawney, however, was avoided by the soldiers and so had the freedom to do as he pleased.

In this case, it was to see the local chapel to Anisette’s mother put into order.

The gentle noise of bubbling water ran through the modest building composed of stone. Luminous stone cast a gentle light. There were no windows to the outside, as the chapel sought to mimic the cave from which the Goddess of Love bore her children and guided them. Cave flowers grew upon vines that clung to the walls. Pews were carved of stone and encircled a central altar beneath an opening to the sky. The air inside was fresh and light, despite being so closed off, and stepping into it made me aware of divine power the moment that I stepped in.

I always noticed the divines in their places of power now.

I could no longer deny their presence nor their strength.

Which made Lord Trelawney’s casual posture in the frontmost pew alarming, and I would’ve warned him if not for the basket of bread at the center of the altar.

“You’re still feigning being a mere baker?”

“Nah, they know who I am. I just found it soothing, so I’m keeping it up. Everyone appreciates freshly baked bread anyway.” He gestured towards the basket, and I idly noted that piece after piece was slowly disappearing. Offerings have always been done, but usually it took days for everything offered to disappear.  Even if they were of the highest quality, they were rarely swiftly received. The contents of the basket, meanwhile, seemed to be almost gone. “So, why are you here? Not just to talk to me, right?”

“I would hear your thoughts regarding the speediness of the emperor’s response… but also how the enemy was able to land if we were so prepared.” I confessed while giving a bow towards the altar. I didn’t have anything on me to offer, so I was ready to offer a prayer professing that I would give alms to those in need. I was astonished to find it gently brushed aside and nothing weighing upon me. It seems that I have helped enough people to be exempted. “The levies and the knights arrived ready with supplies to make castles and fortifications. You were here upon their arrival. Why allow them to land and wreak such havoc?”

Lord Trelawney gave a hum at my statement before looking my way.

“Do you want me to answer, or do you want to confirm what you already know?” Lord Trelawney looked at me. His feet did not touch the floor while seated on the pew. Dressed in accordance with his age, he swung his legs and had a small grin. It was hard to believe that he was so close to ascendancy at his age. However, I had no doubts regarding his intellect. That was not something I could ever doubt. “Why don’t you tell me what you think first?”

I paused and gathered my thoughts carefully before speaking.

“…Perhaps, such is the case because it was needed to impassion our people?” I ventured and received a hum in reply. The words felt bitter to my tongue, and I did not wish to say more. They felt traitorous. “Without the enemy landing, without them harming so many, they would not have elicited the response that was needed.”

“So, sacrifice a coastal region with light trade to galvanize a nation against invaders? As if an entire fleet of monstrous humanoids armed to the teeth on the shore isn’t enough?” Lord Trelawney drawled and rolled his eyes. I felt a heat climbing up my neck and up to my cheekbones. “Just say it. You think the emperor has some grand plan to become divine by prolonging this war.”

“It is… possible.” I admitted and glanced around. We were the only ones present save for the divine Goddess of Love. “He has never been a warrior. When he perishes, his soul will join with countless others, unlike those of his forefathers who fought and ascended to join the other great emperors and who form the tribunal.”

The tribunal was the court of ascendant emperors that formed since the formation of our land. Rather than become individual gods, they joined together and became another entity. They are slow to rise when called upon, but their power is without question. When calamity rears its head, we can always rely on our former emperors to choose champions across the land who will fight for us against even the gravest of threats. Once the threat is gone, their blessings are returned to the divine, and so they may return to living as mortals and walk their own path to divinity if they wish. It also validated the tithes the emperors received. They may use it for their personal gain for a time as they remain in the mortal realm, but when they join their forefathers, that power becomes the nation’s to call upon.

“What’s the problem with that? All the current emperors up there are a bunch of warriors. Adding someone who uses his head to rule would be smart. If things change too much, you might find your tribunal being used by more traditional factions to bring down people who want change.” With almost insufferable casualness, Lord Trelawney pointed out a fact that sent a chill down my spine. He was correct. Most of the emperors who ascended to join the tribunal were warriors and leaders in war. Amongst their number, I could barely recall one or two who were lauded for their efforts to advance the empire and help its people. Most statesmen and scholars of their number died as mortals. “I’d say adding a handful of people who know more than to lead people through war would be smart; otherwise, this empire will end up stagnant until something comes along to break it.”

“That’s… I don’t know what to say.” I admitted and slumped in my seat. The more I thought about it, the more terror arose within me. If great change swept through the nation, if some innovation threatened the power of the nobility, then they could make a case that it was a threat to the nation. If enough of the tribunal agreed with the nobility, which was likely given how many emperors were related to noble lineages and believed in their cause, then the power of the tribunal can be leveraged against the people. It already has in previous rebellions. “Nor do I know what to do.”

“Do you need to do anything? Wasn’t your plan to protect your people and your home from a potential civil war? I mean, that’s not happening now, but your people still need protecting.” Lord Trelawney got up and stretched. His hand found my shoulder, and he gave me a reassuring shake. “Focus on the people around you and those you care about. Leave things like the management of an entire empire to the people who manage it. Just be ready if they fuck up.”

His advice was cold and calm, but I found some semblance of peace in his words.

In a way, he was right.

Even with all my power and influence, I remained the daughter of a duke.

No more and no less.

Judging how entire wars should be fought, determining the grand strategy of an entire nation, and influencing its divine tribunal?

Those were beyond me.

And, in truth, I would want them to remain beyond me.

…

Interlude: Anisette, Demigod of Love

…

I looked at myself in the mirror and found not a single scar, though the memory of my battle persisted.

Where teeth had punctured skin and muscle and floundered against bone, there was not a single jagged blemish.

Where a knife found purchase, there was only the ripple of muscle bound beneath pale skin.

Where there was once a gash in my neck where blood had flown in great deluges, there was no sign of a wound.

The battle, that fierce fight to the death where rage consumed me and pain became meaningless, remained bright in my mind.

Yet there was no sign of it on my person in the mirror.

In fact, the person in the mirror looked more radiant than ever.

I resembled Mother’s statues more now. Blessed not only with beauty but also with strength. Faint lines born of muscle growth accentuated my form now. I was more defined and severe, with much of my childhood fat diminished, but they were only accentuated by womanly curves. Graceful steps came to me more easily, and I was sure that I gained some height, and I noticed even older knights staring at me beguiled.

I would have lamented the loss of what remained of my childhood if not for the knowledge that these changes were brought about by my choice to kill and take power from others.

Knowing that, I did not do those who I slayed a disservice by denying my newfound strength and appearance.

So, I dressed myself in the flowing white robes of my mother’s order without shame and stepped out of my room.

Ready to be gazed upon by the heirs of noble houses and wooed.

Instead, I found Lord Trelawney in the hall, squatting against the wall and eating an apple.

“Sup.” He greeted me with a full mouth and a raised hand. The other held the bitten fruit as he chomped through it in several bites. “Here, eat this. We’re going to gauge your increase in strength to see what you need to do next.”

I blinked at his words and caught the apple that he threw my way without thinking.

“C’mon, follow me.” I did as he bid, and he led me outside to the courtyard. I usually spent time in the courtyard reading scripture and admiring the flowers. My guards were usually present at that time. Now, they were nowhere to be seen. “Time for you to show off how strong you are so that you’re not considered some convenient broodmare.”

I blinked at his words before responding as anyone ought.

“Lord Trelawney, never say such things! It is unbecoming of a gentleman!” I admonished him and received a stuck-out tongue in response. We reached a small clearing in the courtyard, and with a gesture, he called upon a sheet of metal. One of the many pieces that made up the armor he wore. He handed it to me, and I took it but maintained my glare. “Say you won’t say such things again!”

“Make me.” He replied glibly before gesturing towards the metal in my hands. “Tear that as much as you can. Now.”

The cold piece of cursed metal sent a chill up my fingers, and pressing on it with my hands, I found it unyielding, unlike ordinary steel.

So, I took a breath, focused on a single point, and began to pull.

There was resistance to my grip and strength, but it was not like steel prior to my increased strength.

It was like thick, tough, and rigid paper.
But still paper.

There was a keen sound as the metal split, almost like a shriek, and then there was movement from all the guards looking away from a distance.

Lord Trelawney chuckled while taking the metal back, and he heated it and joined it together in just a moment.

“Alright, the flies are gone. Let’s test you for real.”

I barely realized his intention before his palm collided with my stomach and he sent me flying.